The moment Jane stepped back into her shared office space, she heaved a sigh of relief. Her legs still carried the stiffness from her meeting with Jace Davis, and she clutched the folder as if it might vanish.
She had barely reached her desk when Mrs. Alyssa's clipped voice cut through the room.
"Jane. My office. Now."
Jane steadied herself and walked over.
The senior secretary sat like a queen at her battlefield of a desk, files stacked neatly, color-coded tabs glaring precision.
Without looking up, she slid a thin folder across the desk.
"From the PR intake stack. Pull the applicant I circled. Walk her through standard orientation."
Jane took the file, frowning. "Ma'am, the interview isn't scheduled for another hour."
Mrs. Alyssa finally looked up, her tone brisk. "Yes, well. There's been a change. Mr. Davis wants this one started early."
Jane blinked. "Started… as in hired?"
Alyssa's lips tightened. "Exactly. Show her the ropes."
Jane opened the folder. A sleek résumé and typed letter sat on top.
A twenty-year-old Columbia graduate. Double major in international relations and biotech policy. Impressive, but not unheard of.
Still, no interview? No clearance?
Jane hesitated. "Respectfully, ma'am… shouldn't she be interviewed first? There are other applicants. Some with..."
Alyssa's hand hit the desk. Not loud, but firm. Her eyes sharpened. "You've had a busy day, Miss Hayes, just like everyone else here, but let me remind you of something. You are not in a position to question my instructions. Do as you're told."
Jane swallowed. Her cheeks flushed faintly. "Yes, ma'am."
She left with the file, frustration burning. First a surprise field assignment. Now a mystery hire fast-tracked past procedure? Could this day end already?
In the waiting hall, six candidates sat stiff in their suits. Jane scanned the list and called, "Thea Morgan?"
A young woman rose. Calm, composed. Dark curls tucked neatly back, navy blouse sharp but modest. She extended a hand.
"Yes, that's me."
Jane shook it, unsmiling. "Follow me."
As they walked, Jane's mind raced. Who are you? And why does it feel like you're not here to apply, but to take over?
Meanwhile, Thea had her own thoughts.
If I'm going to do this on my own, without my father's shadow, then no one can know who I am. The name on her CV, her degree, even her tone, it was all curated. Measured. Anonymous.
She had buried Carrington behind the unassuming name of Morgan, her mother's maiden name. Not out of shame, but necessity.
She didn't want the Carrington legacy to open doors. She wanted to know if she could force them open on her own.
But as Jane led her through the halls, still tight-lipped and watching her out of the corner of her eye, Thea wondered how long the façade could last.
Jane glanced sideways, almost absently. "You seem… calm. Most people ask a thousand questions at this point."
Thea shrugged lightly. "I figured questions can wait until I proved I belonged."
Jane stopped walking and turned to face her fully.
Her gaze was cool, but not unkind. "Let's be clear. I don't know why you're being brought in early or why you're skipping protocol. But don't expect me to roll out any red carpets."
Thea met her gaze evenly. "I don't expect anything. Except maybe a fair shot."
Something softened in Jane's expression, though her tone stayed firm. "Then we'll see what you're made of."
She turned back and continued walking, this time just a fraction slower, as if grudgingly allowing Thea to catch up.
Behind them, the elevators swallowed the rest of the noise.
That evening, Jane unlocked the door to two-bedroom apartment she shared with her mom. The scent of lavender and onions greeted her. She leaned against the door for a breath before slipping off her shoes.
From the living room, her mother's voice floated in. "Welcome home, baby. How was work?"
"Long," she said dropping her bag onto the hallway table.
Fallon Hayes sat curled into her favorite armchair, a knitted shawl over her shoulders and a book open on her lap. Her eyes tracked Jane with quiet warmth.
"You look exhausted," Fallon said gently. "Go eat. There's jollof rice and grilled fish in the microwave."
"You always know exactly what I need," Jane murmured, leaning down to kiss on her cheek before heading to the kitchen.
She walked into the kitchen. The sound of the microwave filled the space as she stared at the tiled wall, thinking, not about work, not even about Thea Morgan, but about the folder tucked into her bag. The one stamped with the words ARKOS BIOTECH: FIELD RESEARCH EXPEDITION.
She returned to the living room with a plate, curling up on the edge of the couch across from her mother.
Fallon looked up. "So… when are you leaving?"
Jane blinked. "You already know?"
Her mother smiled faintly. "I got a call. Now, tell me everything."
Jane sighed, setting her plate aside for a moment. "A three-week field research trip. They want me to assist Mr. Davis directly. It's… a big deal."
Fallon raised a brow. "And you're telling me like you're not already half-packed."
"I wanted to ask you first." Jane's voice was now low and steady. "If you're not okay with it, I'll go in tomorrow and decline. No job is more important than you."
Fallon sat up straighter, her voice sharp. "Don't you dare."
Jane frowned. "Mom..."
"No," she reached out, taking Jane's hand in hers. "You've given up enough. I'm proud of how far you've come. You know what I pray for now? That your life doesn't just stay about waking up, going to work, going to school, and coming back here to take care of an old woman."
Jane's eyes stung. "You're not just an old woman. You're my mother."
Fallon smiled, though her voice trembled. "I've lived my life, and I want you living yours, Jane. Not just caring for me. And yes, the truth is .... I'm fading. Slowly, but it's happening. What keeps me going is knowing you'll be okay when I'm gone. But right now? I need you to start living for you. Meet people. Make memories. Fall in love, even."
"Don't talk like that." Jane's voice wavered. "You still have a long way to go."
Fallon chuckled gently and patted her hand. "Even if I had a hundred more years, I'd still want more for you than this quiet little bubble."
Jane looked away, swallowing the knot rising in her throat. "I just… I didn't expect you to be so okay with this."
Her mother's gaze grew mischievous. "Well, it helps that Arkos care home already called. Made arrangements. Meals, medication schedules, even emergency transport. They texted me a checklist."
Jane's head snapped up. "They did?"
Fallon nodded. "An hour ago. These people don't waste time."
Jane sat in stunned silence. "That was fast."
For a moment, she sat back in silence, her mind racing. Who approved that setup so quickly? Mr. Davis? HR? Or someone else?
But Fallon squeezed her hand again, to steady her.
"I'll miss you, but I'll be fine. Go see the world beyond lab coats and gossip."
Jane smiled faintly, brushing her thumb over her mother's knuckles. "You'll call me if anything feels off?"
"Of course. And you'll send me pictures. Loads of them. And if you meet a handsome research assistant, you better not leave without his number."
Jane laughed through her tears. "Yes, ma'am."
Fallon leaned back with a grin while Jane finally picked up her fork. A wider world was waiting, and for once, she didn't need permission to step into it.